The Clermont Steamboat
The Clermont Steamboat
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A note about the name Clermont: Although the history books show the name of Robert Fulton’s first steamboat as Clermont, there is no contemporary historical record showing that Fulton ever used this name. Fulton’s own description of his first voyage beginning August 17, 1807, refers to his boat as “my steamboat,” and “my experiment.” Since this was the only steamboat in existence, there was no confusion about the name.
After the August 1807 trip, Fulton spent several weeks making improvements and adjustments before starting regular service. When steamboat service began in September 1807, Fulton’s announcements called the boat the North River Steamboat. North River is the name the early Dutch settlers gave to the Hudson River. (The South River was the Dutch name for the Delaware.)
During the winter of 1807-1808, the steamboat was completely rebuilt. The hull was made wider, a new boiler installed, and accommodations for passengers were added. This rebuilding was done at Clermont, Robert R. Livingston’s estate south of Hudson, NY. Because of the major structural changes, the boat was reregistered as the North River Steamboat of Clermont. (The original vessel was built at Brownne’s Shipyard in New York City.) When scheduled steamboat service began in 1808, the steamboat was called, for short, the North River.
Photos of the Clermont Replica
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